Females in philosophy

[JackDaydream]

I have recently been trying to get to grips with Hannah Arendt, and with Iris Murdoch too. Jack Daydream is responsible for both, I think. I've said here before that I don't focus on philosophers, but only on their ideas. This is still true. But male supremacy remains a cancer in our societies, and this is something we all should be concerned about, IMO.

There are a number of female philosophers, including Simone de Beauvoir and Mary Midgely. I am surprised there are not more in the twentieth first century. I think that the ratio of females on the site is greater than on TPF and a couple of the moderators here are women. I don't know why philosophy doesn't seem to attract as many women, especially as feminism is related to philosophy. Perhaps, what may put women off is the way in which philosophy has been male dominated historically.

[psyreporter]

I can understand the short term "advantage" of specializing in feminist philosophy, to try to emphasize a viewpoint that is underrepresented. However, in the long term, participating in the mainstream with a minority view, does more to normalize that view, than retreating to an enclave of like-minded individuals.

Yeah, I agree; though I do think there is a place for feminist philosophy (not that you’re saying there isn’t). I get that the problem is ratio. But I also get why women would be interested in it. I haven’t really said a lot here, have I? Lol! ^_^

Perhaps it is also important to not forget the financial / career side of it. It is very difficult for philosophy graduates to find a job, at least according a conversation about it on the podcast Partially Examined Life.

The hosts of the podcast became philosophy professors and mentioned that philosophy students do not have an outlook on finding a job easily, which could be scary for some. One of the hosts mentioned that he could have chosen to study business but that he decided to study philosophy because he never cared about money.

The number job category for philosophy students is business (18.1% of students).

Women who choose to dedicate to feminist philosophy can more easily find a job in politics and as it seems many women who study philosophy seek a career in politics. This may help to explain it.

[snt]

A category in which females may be able to make a difference is metaphysics, morality and a deeper philosophy that explores a world of significance that lays beyond logic and knowledge. That world is currently unexplored and philosophy and metaphysics have been suppressed in the past centuries in favour of 'the repeatable world' (i.e. science).

Following the discussion Theism: Not the Foundation of Logic (TAG defeater) by Astro Cat and the topic Logical Limitation of the Logic it became clear that a complete 'other' world is for the most part unexplored and that it demands exploration.

To consider venturing beyond the limit of logic and knowledge, one should start with the motivating consideration: "is usefulness within a human perspective all that can be relevant for existence (Being)?". Surely, the foundation of existence (Being) cannot be itself, thus there one discovers a big door to an other world that demands exploration.

A door to 'beyond logic and knowledge'

Chinese philosopher Laozi (Lao Tzu) has attempted it in book Tao Te Ching. The book is written as a poem starts with the following:

"The tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao. The name that can be named is not the eternal Name."

An expert on the book mentioned the following: "Logic has its place in human affairs, but it isn’t everything. There is a limit to what we can understand through rationality and reasoning. To transcend that limit, we need to fully engage the intuition."

What is the meaning of an insight that logic would attempt to unlock (an insight into the origin of reason itself) when the insight that it unlocks cannot be said?

One could enter the field of poetry that attempts to use language to transfer insight into experience that would then need to function as an addition to supplement logical reasoning to provide it with a ground to venture beyond the limit of its own origin.

The French philosopher Emmanuel Levinas - an icon of Western philosophy that is researched by dedicated scholars today - addresses the significance of a world beyond Being in his concept The duality of Saying and Said. Levinas shows that one is to pursue a quest for a meaning that precedes knowledge, i.e. a meaning that precedes useful meaning.

Levinas commentator Giuseppe Lissa provides the following description of Levinas’ project Otherwise than Being (his latest work):

By investigating the depths of consciousness, by comparing its passivity to the process of ageing, Levinas investigates a "reality unknowable, but perhaps interpretable by a thinking that no longer claims to be an exercise in knowledge … because this thinking is engaged in the search for a meaning that precedes all knowledge."

https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/levinas/

Episode 145: Emmanuel Levinas: Why Be Ethical?
https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2016/ ... 1-levinas/

Levinas his work is primary focussed on ethics in human relations. There may be a lot more interests for which exploration of that other world might be of vital importance.

Venturing beyond the limit of logic may provide valuable philosophical plausible insights that can then be used to innovate (advance) in useful reality. (i.e. it can provide a foundation or clues to 'think out of the box'). The venture would still concern a search for truth, but it's simply not about knowledge.

Women may have unique capabilities, such as access to emotions, social relational insights or spiritual experiences that can unlock access to a world beyond logic and knowledge, which - when done philosophically (i.e. professional) - can unlock important value for humanity.

[Astro Cat]

I have recently been trying to get to grips with Hannah Arendt, and with Iris Murdoch too. Jack Daydream is responsible for both, I think. I've said here before that I don't focus on philosophers, but only on their ideas. This is still true. But male supremacy remains a cancer in our societies, and this is something we all should be concerned about, IMO.

There are a number of female philosophers, including Simone de Beauvoir and Mary Midgely. I am surprised there are not more in the twentieth first century. I think that the ratio of females on the site is greater than on TPF and a couple of the moderators here are women. I don't know why philosophy doesn't seem to attract as many women, especially as feminism is related to philosophy. Perhaps, what may put women off is the way in which philosophy has been male dominated historically.

Out of curiosity, I tried to join TPF and it requires some sort of “invitation code.” I tried emailing the person flagged as top moderator with my credentials, but the email came back invalid despite having the correct listed address. How does one go about getting a code?

[JackDaydream]

I have recently been trying to get to grips with Hannah Arendt, and with Iris Murdoch too. Jack Daydream is responsible for both, I think. I've said here before that I don't focus on philosophers, but only on their ideas. This is still true. But male supremacy remains a cancer in our societies, and this is something we all should be concerned about, IMO.

There are a number of female philosophers, including Simone de Beauvoir and Mary Midgely. I am surprised there are not more in the twentieth first century. I think that the ratio of females on the site is greater than on TPF and a couple of the moderators here are women. I don't know why philosophy doesn't seem to attract as many women, especially as feminism is related to philosophy. Perhaps, what may put women off is the way in which philosophy has been male dominated historically.

Out of curiosity, I tried to join TPF and it requires some sort of “invitation code.” I tried emailing the person flagged as top moderator with my credentials, but the email came back invalid despite having the correct listed address. How does one go about getting a code?

I joined TFP about 18 months ago and don't think I had to have a code. It may have changed a little because like on this site the initial posts have to be approved by moderators now. I know that when I joined no new members could send messages until they had written about 20 messages.

Anyway, I hope to come across you on TPF as well. I find the combination of the two sites helpful, mainly because there are probably about 30 regular members on this site and about 300 on TFP. I would really like something in between because on this site it can be a case of creating threads and hardly anyone being interested and, on the other, getting too many responses. But, you seem to be getting plenty of responses on your various threads.

On both sites the moderators seem critically aware of aspects of difference,including sexism and racism, as welll as LGBTIQ issues, although the discussions often become heated, and I try to only engage in them minimally because I get so irritated by narrow minded viewpoints about gender and sexuality.

[Astro Cat]

I joined TFP about 18 months ago and don't think I had to have a code. It may have changed a little because like on this site the initial posts have to be approved by moderators now. I know that when I joined no new members could send messages until they had written about 20 messages.

Anyway, I hope to come across you on TPF as well. I find the combination of the two sites helpful, mainly because there are probably about 30 regular members on this site and about 300 on TFP. I would really like something in between because on this site it can be a case of creating threads and hardly anyone being interested and, on the other, getting too many responses. But, you seem to be getting plenty of responses on your various threads.

On both sites the moderators seem critically aware of aspects of difference,including sexism and racism, as welll as LGBTIQ issues, although the discussions often become heated, and I try to only engage in them minimally because I get so irritated by narrow minded viewpoints about gender and sexuality.

TFP will not let me join even to make an introduction or to make my case that I would fit in: it asks for an “invitation code” to create an account at all. I suspect they might have been getting trolled or inundated.

I’m very pleased to hear the mods have a good social awareness! I would love to be able to use both in combination as well for more activity and stimulus. If you come across any pinned threads advising what to do about the invitation code, please let me know.

[JackDaydream]

I joined TFP about 18 months ago and don't think I had to have a code. It may have changed a little because like on this site the initial posts have to be approved by moderators now. I know that when I joined no new members could send messages until they had written about 20 messages.

Anyway, I hope to come across you on TPF as well. I find the combination of the two sites helpful, mainly because there are probably about 30 regular members on this site and about 300 on TFP. I would really like something in between because on this site it can be a case of creating threads and hardly anyone being interested and, on the other, getting too many responses. But, you seem to be getting plenty of responses on your various threads.

On both sites the moderators seem critically aware of aspects of difference,including sexism and racism, as welll as LGBTIQ issues, although the discussions often become heated, and I try to only engage in them minimally because I get so irritated by narrow minded viewpoints about gender and sexuality.

TFP will not let me join even to make an introduction or to make my case that I would fit in: it asks for an “invitation code” to create an account at all. I suspect they might have been getting trolled or inundated.

I’m very pleased to hear the mods have a good social awareness! I would love to be able to use both in combination as well for more activity and stimulus. If you come across any pinned threads advising what to do about the invitation code, please let me know.

I really don't know why you are having problems joining TFP. I think that they are trying to stop former banned members from joining. Perhaps, you should wait and try again in a few days. I remember that when I joined this site it took a few times before my email address would go through. Beyond issues of difference and surveillance it seems that as human beings we live in the age of digital misery, complete with digital bugs and weird idiosyncrasies.

[Astro Cat]

I really don't know why you are having problems joining TFP. I think that they are trying to stop former banned members from joining. Perhaps, you should wait and try again in a few days. I remember that when I joined this site it took a few times before my email address would go through. Beyond issues of difference and surveillance it seems that as human beings we live in the age of digital misery, complete with digital bugs and weird idiosyncrasies.

This is what happens if someone that isn't already a member clicks on "Create Account." There is no contact information to appeal for a code and no way to post even in an introductory sense.



If I try just leaving the Invitation Code space blank, it just says "Your invitation code is either invalid or expired."

Basically, it gives a new prospect zero recourse to sign up or even talk to anybody about signing up.

[Astro Cat]

I thought maybe the invitation code would be present in a pinned post -- sort of a way to force people to read through the rules and terms of service before being able to sign up. That isn't the case either as I've read all the pinned posts.

It has been a few days already (that forum is actually the first one I attempted to join), so this might be a long term moratorium on new members. Which is unfortunate.

I don't want to ask you to put your neck out for a code, but I will ask that if you just happen to come across information on why they're doing this or how long they'll be doing this, that'd be appreciated. (JackDaydream)

[JackDaydream]

I thought maybe the invitation code would be present in a pinned post -- sort of a way to force people to read through the rules and terms of service before being able to sign up. That isn't the case either as I've read all the pinned posts.

It has been a few days already (that forum is actually the first one I attempted to join), so this might be a long term moratorium on new members. Which is unfortunate.

I don't want to ask you to put your neck out for a code, but I will ask that if you just happen to come across information on why they're doing this or how long they'll be doing this, that'd be appreciated. (@JackDaydream)

I have sent you a message because joining TFP is a a bit off topic here. You are fairly new to this forum, so to find the message you will see a message notification near the bell symbol.
Jack

[psyreporter]

User Terrapin Station, one of the most active users on this forum, was recently banned on TFP and he hasn't been active on this forum or on Philosophy Now forum.

[Astro Cat]

User @Terrapin Station, one of the most active users on this forum, was recently banned on TFP and he hasn't been active on this forum or on Philosophy Now forum.

I've been looking at the PhilosophyNow forum and I'm unsure if I've ever seen a greater cesspool of misogyny, transphobia, and various other kinds of malicious ignorance. Unsure if I want to have anything to do with that forum as a gay woman.

[JackDaydream]

Unfortunately, there are some misogynistic and transphobic people on TPF, although the moderators do challenge them. Even here, there are people who are narrow minded and nasty, including what are regarded as trolls. Unfortunately, sites such as these attract all kinds of prejudiced people and it seems that homophobia and transphobia still exist. I am bisexual and get really frustrated. I do challenge certain views at time but it can be hard work.

Best wishes,
Jack

[psyreporter]

I shared a post about the founder of that forum a few posts back. I am not certain with regard prejudice on topics. I know that Atla is a very active user on that forum which whom you've communicated on this forum.

There is also a user on this forum that seeks to start a new initiative.

viewtopic.php?p=400270#p400270

[Astro Cat]

Unfortunately, there are some misogynistic and transphobic people on TPF, although the moderators do challenge them. Even here, there are people who are narrow minded and nasty, including what are regarded as trolls. Unfortunately, sites such as these attract all kinds of prejudiced people and it seems that homophobia and transphobia still exist. I am bisexual and get really frustrated. I do challenge certain views at time but it can be hard work.

Best wishes,
Jack

I will still probably join. I, too, will challenge hateful nonsense when I still have the spoons to do it. I just think to myself "I don't want a little baby lesbian (or gay person, or trans person, or nonbinary person, or any LGBTQ+ person) to come across this and find that it hasn't been challenged!"

Same with challenging the misogyny. It can be exhausting. As I'm sure you know, if you challenge that sort of thing too. I appreciate you <3